Autograph machine



wag J. LE$E VEQ JR BJSSAQG AUTOGRAPH MACHINE Original Filed Jum 23, 1961 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 44 n ,5) l 1 \48 H r INVENTOR Jouu Leszovsqle. ms 6 123 /4; 45/ 41 Mural- ATTORNEYS l fimn 3 J, LESKOVEQ, JR 3,355AGQ AUTOGRAPH MACHINE Original Filed June 23, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 A O/.1. WIND/N5 11 E C H4 IV/SM INVENIOR .famlwkouec, Jja

gv wmf ym ATTORNEYS Nov. 3, 1964 J. LESKOVEC, JR

AUTOGRAPH MACHINE Original Filed June 25, 1961 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Jar-m LESKOVEC ATTORNEYS 1964 J. LESKOVEC, JR 3,155,400

AUTOGRAPH MACHINE Original Filed June 23. 1961 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 116.4 I as INVENT OR JOH u Les zovecgJa.

whim

ATTORNEYS J. LESKOVEC, JR 3,155,400

AUTOGRAPH MACHINE Nov. 3, 1964 Original Filed June 23. 1961 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jomlwtaueq Ji BY m ATTORNEY)- Nov. 3, 1964 J. LESKOVEC, JR

AUTOGRAPH MACHINE Sheets-Sheet 6 Original Filed June 23, 1961 rlrlrllplprlirll Nov. 3; 1964 J. LESKOVEC, JR

'AUTOGRAPH MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Original Filed June 23, l961 United States Patent 3,155,400 AuroonArn c 32 Claims. (Cl. 2a 1-6) This application is a continuation of application Serial No. 126,448 filed June 23, 1961 now abandoned.

The present invention relates to an autograph machine and more particularly to such a machine in which a roll or continuous length of paper is disposed so that the paper may be unravelled or unrolled in predetermined lengths automatically, in order for a person to con tinuously write upon the paper without requiring the person to see what he or she is writing.

In accordance with the present invention, an autograph machine is provided disposed within a portable box or container so that it may be carried anywhere, and a person may continuously write upon a continuous sheet of paper that is unravelled automatically in predetermined lengths as the person progressively writes upon the paper line by line, so that the writer does not have to fix his eyes on the paper to observe what he is writing, but can keep them fixed upon a person talking or whose conversation the writer is putting down on the paper.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic machine for continuously taking down conversation or dictation in which the hand is automatically in position at all times between guide means for writing in progressive sequence upon the paper as the paper is unrolled at predetermined intervals, and one space at a time, so that the person writing on the paper can take down a conversation line by line in the usual manner starting at the top of the paper and continuing to the bottom of the paper, and writing from the left side to the right side of the paper in proper order,

without looking at the paper at all. It, of course, is also readily apparent that, if desired, the machine may also be modified so that the writer may write on the paper from the bottom to the top thereof in progressive sequence, and from the right to left, if desired.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic machine for writing on a continuous length of paper, in which the writing arm is positioned at all times between guide means on either side of the arm and an elbow rest disposed to the rear of the writing arm adjacent the elbow, and in which a clean or fresh section of paper is presented as the writer is ready to begin a new line of script across the paper, without necessitating looking at what is being written.

Another object of the present invention is to provide upright guide means disposed on the automatic writing machine adjacent each side of the writing arm which control the distance of movement of the writing hand or arm from one side of the paper to the other, thus guiding the writing hand and arm so that they remain on the paper at all times, whereby the writing arm and hand are in an enclosed space to enable the writer to transcribe without looking at the paper, or the particular line of writing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic writing machine in which the writing arm and hand of the person writing on the paper are enclosed within a confined space so that the person does not have to observe what is being written on the paper and on the line of writing, and which is provided with automatic spacing means so that when thearm of the writer completes the line of writing, the automatic space-r means immediately moves or spaces the paper so that the writer 7 can start a new line of writing immediately adjacent 3,155,4d0 Patented Nov. 3, 1964 and below the completed line of writing, without looking at the paper.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic writing machine having automatic spacing means which space the paper to present a clean section of paper for the writer to write on, which spacing means permit the writer to finish the word or phrase being written between the first contact of the hand with the automatic spacing means and the time at which the paper is spaced or moved to receive a new line of writing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic writing machine in which the writing arm and hand are guided and in which the machine provides a new blank line of the paper on which to write a new line of transcript, which new blank line is automatically presented by mechanical means as the writer is ready to begin the new line.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic writing machine for spacing the paper to receive a new line of writing as the person is ready to begin writing the new line, in which the spacing between lines may be varied, and single spaced, double spaced or triple spaced new blank lines may be presented upon which to begin new lines of writing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic writing machine for spacing up new blank.

lines of paper from a continuous roll or fold of paper as the writer is ready to start a new lineof writing, in which marking means are provided to scribe adjacent the margin of the paper, if desired, a symbol to indicate or denote the particular person whose conversation or dictation the writer is transcribing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic writing machine which automatically spaces up the pap-er to provide a new blank line for beginning a new line of script thereon, by automatic mechanical means or by automatic electrical means and in which both the mechanical and the electrical automatic spacing means may be embodied in a single machine if so desired, so that the operator would be able to perform the spacing mechanically where electrical power would not be available.

Thus, the present invention provides an automatic machine for receiving the writing of a person on a continuous length of paper in which it is possible to write the entire length of a strip of paper without once looking at the paper, and which invention does not require the turning of pages as in the regular method of writing in notebooks or in taking dictation. Hence, there is a considerable saving in time where many pages are written and it enables a writer, such as a court reporter, secretary or stenographer to increase his or her speed of taking down dictation or conversation. It is further quite obvious that where large volumes of shorthand notes are written and where there are several speakers whose conversation must be written, it is .a decided advantage to look at and observe the speakers, rather than just hearing the Words so that the transcriber will not inadvertently submit to writing the words of the wrong party.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the writing arm will remain stationary at all times on a proper support for writing so that the writing will be less fatiguing and more relaxed than the usual method of writing.

Various other objects. and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the automatic writing machine of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the machine shown in FIG. 1; r

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal side section on line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional end view taken on line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary plan view illustrating the slot and the plate therebelow associated with the guide means disposed on the right hand side of the top of the machine for automatically presenting a new blank line for uniting thereon;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken substantially on the plane of line 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a transverse section taken on line 77 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged detail side view of the spacing gear, rack and ratchet shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a section taken along lines 99 of FIG. 4, or an end view of the gear and rack shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged detail view taken on line 1tl10 of FIG. 2 of the ratchet and pawl which prevent clockwise movement of the paper platen driving shaft, and is a side view of the ratchet and pawl illustrated in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a detail cross-sectional view of the square shaft portion of the rack shaft taken on line 11-11 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view of the right end of the spacing shaft or bar connected to the spacing drive rack or shaft connected to the guide means disposed on the right top side of the machine shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 13 is a detail sectional side view of the knob arrangement for positioning the variable spacing means to space the paper in single, double or triple space arrangement, taken on line 1313 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 14 is a front view of the knob illustrated in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged plan view of the marking device embodied in the present invention;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged elevational side sectional view of the marking device of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 16, except it shows the release key only of the marking device;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged fragmentary detail plan view of the marking device illustrating the means for securing the slidable plate to the fixed support plate;

FIG. 19 is a bottom plan view similar to FIG. 2 of the autographic writing machine embodying both mechanical and electrical spacing means in a single machine;

FIG. 20 is a longitudinal side sectional view on lines 2020 of FIG. 19 illustrating the mechanical spacing means disposed in an operative position;

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary detail view illustrating the mechanical spacing means in an inoperative or disengaged position;

FIG. 22 is a fragmentary perspective View of the front end of the machine embodying the combined mechanicalelectrical spacing means illustrating the lever means for disengaging the mechanical spacing means with only the electrical spacing means operative;

FIG. 23 is an enlarged detail view of the lever means for disengaging the mechanical spacing means embodied in the invention;

FIG. 24 is an end view of the electrical solenoid means for actuating the spacing means taken on line 2424 of .FIG. 19; and

FIG. 25 is an enlarged side View of the electrical solenoid spacing means taken along line 2525 of FIG. 19.

illustrated in FIG. 1, having a horizontal top surface 11 with an arm rest 12 extending from one end of it. A rectangular opening 13 is disposed centrally of the writing top of the machine so that a piece of paper 14 completely covers the opening 13 and is presented to the writer for writing thereon. When a person uses the writing machine,

the hand is disposed on the piece of paper 14 with the hand enclosed between a first guide means 15 disposed toward the left side of the writing top over opening 13 and a second guide means 16 disposed adjacent and beyond the right hand side of the writing top.

The guide means 15 and 16 are substantially vertical upright bars or bracket members extending toward opposite ends of the writing box with guide 15 disposed over the left hand side or portion of the paper 14, as clearly shown in FIG. 1. The elongated arm rest 12 is U-shaped in cross section and-is provided with legs and a horizontal bar member 17 on its outward end so that the elbow of the writer is always in contact with the bar 17 when writing. Of course, if desired, the bar member 17 may be disposed in slots in the arm rest 12 so that it can be spaced at different intervals with respect to the paper and for different arm lengths.

The sheet of paper 14 forms a portion of a continuous sheet or roll of Writing paper 18 (FIG. 3) disposed on a bracket support member 19 within the interior of box 10, adjacent support arm 12. The writing paper is fed past opening 13 for writing thereon from the spool or roll 18 to a winding spool or roll 20 so that when all of the paper has been used and is written on, it is tightly wound into a roll 21 and is stored in the box opposite arm rest 12. A rectangular support plate 24 (FIG. 3) flush with top 11 is positioned within the rectangular opening 13 (FIG. 3) to present a solid and smooth surface upon which the portion of the paper 14 is disposed during the writing operation. The length of plate 24 is slightly less than the length of the rectangular opening 13 so that slots 25 and 26 (FIGS. 1 and 3) are provided for threading the continuous sheet of paper therethrough in order to unwind the paper from a roll 18 and to rewind it into a roll 21, as illustrated in FIG. 3. The paper support plate 24 is secured to the inside of the box 10 by any conventional means desired.

A roll winding mechanism 27 (FIG. 2) is connected to spool 20 to automatically wind up the paper as it is unrolled or unravelled from the roll 18. The roll winding mechanism can be any conventional mechanism now in use and does not per se form part of the invention. Its sole purpose is to wind the paper on roll 20, as the platens pull fresh paper from supply roll 18.

Disposed within the box 10 and adjacent top 11 is a mechanical feed spacing means generally designated 32 (FIGS. 2, 3, and 4) consisting of a horizontal spacing drive shaft 33 disposed on the right side of the box adjacent guide means 16 and slidably supported in a bearing member 132 which is attached to the underside of the top 11 by suitable means as screws. The right or outer end of shaft 33 abuts the central portion of a small vertical post or pin 34. The central portion of post 34 has an arcuate recess or passage 134 formed therethrough. A conventional screw 136 extends through the passage 134 and is threaded into the center of the outer end of shaft 33 so as to pivotally connect the post 34 to shaft 33. The upper end of pin or post 34 is provided with a vertical slot in which is disposed the lower portion of the end of bar member 35 so that the pin 34 may have sliding relative movement with respect to the bar member. The pin 34 may be pivotally connected to bracket member 35 by a small horizontal pivot pin extending through the slot portion of the pin 34 and through bracket member 35. However, the pivot pin 130 may be omitted if desired. As shown in FIG. 1, pin 34 extends through an elongated slot 36 disposed in the right side of top 11.

The bracket member 35 is pivotally connected to guide means 16 and is provided with spring means to normally bias or urge the bar member 35 and pin 34 toward the inner or left side of the slot 36 away from the guide .means 16, unless the arm of the person writing on the 37 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5.

As shown in FIGS. 5, '6, and 7, a rectangular guide plate 138 is mounted directly below the slot 36 and below the outer end of shaft 33. The guide plate 138 is provided with an elongated slot 140 which has an enlarged central portion 142. As shown, the slot 140 is of the same size and shape as the slot 36 in top 11, however, slot 140 may be slightly larger than slot 36.

A diamond shaped cam or center member 38 is mounted centrally of the enlarged slot portion 142 by means of a vertical and diagonally extending W-shaped frame 41. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, frame 41 may be composed of an elongated strip of sheet metal bent into a W-shape. The central potrion of the frame 41 extends upwardly and is secured to the bottom of the center member 33, while the sides of the frame 41 extend upwardly and terminate in horizontal flanges 144 which are secured to the bottom of the guide plate 138 by conventional means such as welding. By having the center member 38 centrally located in the enlarged central portion 142 of slot 140, connected openings 39 and 40,are provided between opposite ends of the slot 36 through which openings the pin 34 moves in going from one end of the slot to the other end thereof, as described below.

A vertical bushing 146 is provided at each corner of the guide plate 138 and extends upwardly from the guide plate to the bottom of top 11. An elongated screw 148 extends upwardly through each corner of the guide plate, through one of the bushings 146 and has its upper end threaded into top 11 so as to secure the guide plate in parallel spaced relationship to top 11.

The member 38 has oppositely disposed swinging or hinged doors 42 and 43 secured thereto as seen in FIG. 6 and provided with biasing springs 150 to normally maintain door 42 closed across connecting opening 40, and to normally maintain door 43 closed across connecting opening 39. This permits the movement of the arm of the person writing on the machine in passing across the paper toward right guide means 16 to gradually move horizontal bar 35 toward guide means 16 so that pin 34 passes from the position shown in FIG. 6 through connecting opening 39 and thereafter to the extreme right end of slot 140. When the arm of the person writing .is moved back across the paper toward the left side of it,

the bracket member 35 by means of the biasing spring connected thereto, moves the pin 34 to the extreme left end of slot 140, the pin passing through connecting opening 40 so as to force door 42into an open position as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 6, after which the door immediately is closed to the solid line position as seen in FIG. 6. When the pin moves toward the right of slot 140, it is readily apparent that the swinging door 43 moves from the solid line position in FIG. 6 to the dotted position therein'to readily permit the pin 34 to pass completely across the slot. As the pin 34 moves in a clockwise direction around the center member 38 as described above, pin, 34 may oscillate about its pivot connection 130 to bracket 35. The elongated slot 134 formed in the center of the pin 3 4 permits it to oscillate relative to screw 136 and shaft 33. The bottom of pin 34 also moves in a clockwise direction around the vertical central supporting legs of the frame 41 as it moves back and forth in slot 140.

It will be noted that electrical contacts 44 are disposed on opposite side'of connecting opening 46 so that when the pin 34 passes between them and makes contact t'nerewith, the solenoid mechanism which moves the paper to space up a new blank linefor beginning the next line of writing on the paper is energized, as hereinafter described in the electrical embodiment of theinvention. e

As faras the mechanical embodiment of the device is concerned, the electrical contacts 44 are not required Referring to FIGS. 4 and 12, it will be observed that the left end of the drive bar or shaft 33 is provided with a turned-in flange 46 to connect the bar rack 47 thereto. Spacer shaft 33 can move or slide'to the left or the right, but it cannot be rotated. Rack shaft 47 can be rotated and can slide or move both left and right. The inturned flange 46 on shaft 33 and the rim 48 on shaft 47 permit these two connected shafts to slide, and rack shaft 47 to rotate relative to shaft 33, without the shafts being disconnected from each other. Drive shaft 33 is moved or slid left and right by the movement of bracket member 35 and pin 34, the bracket member 35 being moved in a direction to the right by the arm of the person writing on the portion of paper 14, and being moved in a direction to the left by the bias spring means affixed to it.

The left end of rack shaft 47 is provided with three longitudinal racks 49, 50 and 51 (FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 8); The racks are of different lengths with rack 50 being twice as long as rack 49 and rack 51 being three times as long as rack 49. This provides predetermined space setting means for feeding the paper to receive a new blank line on which to write, at single space, double space or triple space intervals from the preceding line of writing, as will be readily apparent from later portions of the description. On the left hand of rack shaft 47 is a shaft portion 52 (FIGS. 2, 4 and 13) which has a square cross section to rotate rack shaft 47 through 90 angles so that the racks 49, 50 and 51 may be positioned at different times on the bottom of shaft 47. The left end of square shaft portion 52 extends or telescopes into [a sleeve 53 having a. hollow end (FIGS. 4, 11 and 13) whichis connected to the side wall 56 of the box through a conventional turning knob 57 (FIG. 13). The side wall 56 has a continuous circular groove 58 therein and the knob is provided with a spring detent 59 so that the knob f-rictionally engages the side wall 56 and prevents the sleeve53 from being inadvertently turned. In order to turn the square'shaft portion 52 and rack shaft 47 formed therewith, it is merely necessary to pull the knob 57 slightly away from the side wall and turn it 90 so that the proper rack is disposed in a vertical position on the lower side of shaft 47. The side wall may be marked with settings, such as numerals l, 2, and 3, so that a person setting the knob will position it correctly for single, double or triple spacing.

A platen drive shaft 6% (FIGS. 2, 3 and 9) extending longitudinally of the box is disposed adjacent the racks on shaft 47 and is provided with a gear 61 thereon adapted to engage racks 49, 53 or 51 so as to be moved or driven in a counterclockwise direction by one of the racks when bracket member 35 moves to the left. The gear 61 will be turned or rotated a lesser or greater distance depending upon which of the racks is disposed to engage the. gear, and this depends upon the setting at which the operator of the writing machine has set the control knob 5'7. The longest rack, which is three times the length of the shortest rack, will turn the gear 61 to triple space the paper, While the other racks will space the paper for single or double spacing, as hereinafter described.

I Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, it will be seen that gear 61 is connected to shaft 66 through a sleeve 62 which rotates relative to a hub 63 fixedly connected to the end of shaft 69. The sleeve 62 moves or rotates relative tohub 63 when the rack shaft 47 and bracket member 35 are moved to the right. A pawl 64 secured to hub'63 endgages the .inner teeth 65 on gear 61 when the rack shaft 47 moves 7 to the-left so that the gear 61 moves. in a counterclock-.

wise direction and turns or rotates platen drive shaft 60 in a counterclockwise direction only to thereby turn a bevelled gear 67 (FIGS. 2 and 3) to unwind the paper from roll 18 to present a new blank line of paper to the writing support 24 when awriter is ready to begin anew line of 1 writing. When the rack shaft 47 is pulled or moved to since the paper is automatically spaced up by movement of'the 'b'racketmernber 35 by strictly mechanical means,

which willbe described later.

the right as the writers arrn moves on the right and pushes f bracket member 35 to the right toward guide means 16,

gear 61 moves clockwise but at this time the sleeve 62 to which it is connected merely rotates with respect to hub 63 so that shaft 66 does not rotate and the gear 61 acts as an idler gear at this time.

. A gear 69 (FIGS. 9 and 10) is fixed to shaft 66 in spaced relationship with gear 61 and is provided with a pawl 70, secured by a bracket 71 to the underside of top 11, which engages the teeth of gear 69 to prevent the shaft 60 from being rotated clockwise. This prevents shaft 60 from inadvertently being moved or rotated and insuring that the paper will not be spaced in a backward direction so that the preceding line upon which a person has already written is not presented to a person when he is ready to begin a new blank line of writing.

The bevel gear 67 engages a complementary or mating gear 68 (FIGS. 2 and 4) fixed to a paper platen 72 or roll which frictionally engages a free roller 73 (FIGS. 2 and 3) to pull the paper from the supply roll 18 so that the line of writing which the writer has just completed passes through slot 25 and is rolled up on roll 21 by the conventional roll winding mechanism 2'7.

In operation, when it is desired to use the spacing means of the automatic writing machine of the present invention, a person first decides whether he wishes to single space .the writing, double space it or triple space it. This is accomplished by setting the knob 57 on the side of the box to rotate square shaft portion 52 at 90 intervals so that the proper rack is disposed on the bottom of rack shaft 47 to engage drive gear 61. The writer is then ready to begin. He places his arm on the top of the box so that it is enclosed by the guide means 15 and 16 and so that his elbow rests against the elbow rest 17. With the arm being enclosed within the guide means and elbow rest, it is quite apparent that a person does not have to observe the line of paper on which he is writing or the paper because the machine prevents his arm from moving out of alignment with the point at which he wishes to make contact with the paper. As the writers hand moves from the left to the right, it moves bracket member 35 which is pivotally connected to member 16 so that spacer shaft 33 moves to the right. When he has completed the line of writing and .his hand is on the right side of the paper, he moves his hand and arm back toward the left side of the paper and bracket member 35 and the biasing means of bracket 35 immediately move shaft 33 to the left, thereby causing rack shaft 47 to engage gear 61 and rotate it counterclockwise, which gear 61 in turn drives or rotates drive shaft 60 and mating gears 67 and 68 to space the paper to the left looking at FIG. 3, so that a fresh or new blank line is presented for the writer to again begin another line of writing. The square shaft portion 52 of shaft 47 slides into the hollow recess of shaft 53 when shaft 47 moves to its left position. When the writer begins writing the next line of writing, his arm or hand again gradually moves bracket 35 to the right, but since gear 61 cannot rotate gear 67 clockwise, because the gear 61 is merely rotating freely on shaft 60 without rotating it. Therefore the paper is not -spaced until the bracket member 35 is again moved to the left. When it is desired to change the spacing from a single to a double space, for example, it is merely necessary to change the setting of the knob to present the specific rack that will give the predetermined spacing to the paper.

Referring to FIGS. 15 to 18 of the drawings, the marking device embodied in the present invention comprise a plurality of spaced keys or levers 76 ('FIG. 1) disposed in a small box frame 77 on the upper left side of the writing machine. Each lever 76 is provided with a spring 78 'on the lower end thereof to continuously urge the levers upwardly. Thelevers extend thI'OHghSlOls 79 formed by a fixed plate 80 and a laterally slidable or adjustable plate 81. The plates are held together by springs 82 (FIG. 18) and horizontal pins 83 disposed within the plates 80 and .81. Each lever 76 is provided with a cam or tooth 84 thereon adapted to pass through the slots 79 when the keys 76 are depressed or moved downwardly into the frame by hand. The tooth 84 causes the slidable plate 81 to move to the left and increase the length of the slots 79 as the key is depressed. After the keys move into the interior of box 77, the springs 82 cause the slidable plate 81 to be pulled back toward plate 89 so that the slot again assumes its smallest dimension and the key 76 is locked in a depressed condition by a horizontal stop surface above cam 84. Each key 76 is provided with a link 85 pivoted to a fixed pin 86. The left end of link 85 is pivot-ally connected to a key 76, while the right end of link 85 is pivotally connected to a vertical link 87 which extends above the top 11 of the writing machine and in turn is pivotally connected to a pen link 88. The outer end of pen link 88 holds a pen 89 adapted to mark an ink line extending vertically or longitudinally of the paper 14. Pen link 88 is pivotally connected to a vertical support pin 90 fixed to the top 11 of the writing machine.

When it is desired to mark the paper with a longitudinal line or lines, it is merely necessary to depress the key or keys 76, depending upon the number of lines desiredto be marked on the writing paper so that the tooth 84 of the key or keys passes through the slots 79 and locks the lever in box 77. The movement of key 76 downwardly causes the link 85 to rock or pivot about pin 86 and link 88 to pivot or rock about pin '90 causing the pen 89 to move downwardly in contact with the surface of the paper 14.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 17, a release key or lever 92 having a tooth or cam 93 therein is provided for releasing a depressed key or keys 76 to move the pen or pens out of contact with the writing paper. This is accomplished by merely depressing key M so that it will elongate the slots 79 by moving slidable plate 81 to the left so that the spring or biasing means 73 on the keys 76 cause the levers to pop up out of the 'box 77. It will be noticed that the shape of tooth 93 is diagonally inclined so that release key 92 will not catch on the lower end of the slidable plate 81 and, therefore, will always cause the keys to be released and will itself pop up out of box 77 when a persons finger is taken off lever'92.

The object of the marking pens 89 is to provide a longitudinally extending line o'rlines along the left side of the paper to indicate the writer is transcribing the conversation of a designated person. If there are three persons having their conversation transcribed, it ismerely necessary to depress a different lever 76 for each person so that the longitudinal line will be marked on the paper designating each person and will be out of alignment with a pen line designating another speaker. Also, if desired, the pens c uld have different coloring inks such as green, blue and red so that the writer could always have the marking device make a continuous longitudinal line as the speaker designated by the respective ink color is speaking. Although only three pens and linking devices are'shown, any number of pens and linking devices therefor may be incorporated in the machine, if desired.

The embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 19 to 25 illustrates the autographic writing machine of the present invention in which both electrical means as well as mechanical spacing means are embodied in a single machine so that the operator is able to'perform the spacing mechanically where electrical power 'isnot available.

' In this embodiment-of the invention, the continuous sheet of paper is disposed in drawer-like compartments and the paper is folded or creased back and forth upon itself instead of being in the roll form, as illustrated in the previous mechanical embodiment of the invention.

In this embodiment of the invention, the front end of the machine 10 is provided with a forwardly pivotal or movable section 106 (see FIGS. 2022) so that the bevel gear 68 and platen 72 may be completely disengaged from gear 67 and the mechanical spacing means. The mechanical spacing means, of course, are identical with the mechanical embodiment of the invention already described herein and, therefore, it is only necessary to describe the electrical means and themanner in which 9. it is disposed in the same machine as the mechanical spacing means.

The front pivotal section 101) is tilted forwardly and upwardly about a horizontal hinge 101 disposed adjacent the forward end of the machine. This is accomplished by a lever 102 (FIGS. 22 and 23) which is moved in a clockwise direction (see FIG. 23) toward the rear end of the machine so that the pivotal section 1% is tilted or pivoted upwardly as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21. By this movement of the lever, it will be apparent that gear 68 is disengaged with gear 67 (see FIG. 21). The continuous sheet of paper 14 is fed from a drawer type structure 16 3 disposed in the rear end of the machine through slots 25 and 26 and over the writing surface 24 provided in the top of the machine to a front drawer 1ldisposed in pivotal section 1110 of the machine. The drawer 1134 is supported on a horizontal bracket or shelf me on section 100. The paper 14 instead of being unravelled from one roll and wound up on a second roll as in the other embodiment of the invention, has transverse crease or folds 106 provided therein at predetermined lengths so that the paper is stacked in an accordian or pleated manner. This enables the writer to open the front drawer 11M and unstack or go back over any portion of the paper in case it is desired to correct a mistake or reread a part of the Written material. In thi embodiment of the invention, the marking means are identical to the marking means already described herein, but such marking means are not disclosed in these drawings for purposes of clarity. 1

The pivotal section 1% of the machine is provided with a rearwardly extending solenoid 1% (FIGS. 19-21) having a plunger 11W disposed adjacent the front wall 108 of pivotal section 100. The plunger 1417 is adapted to actuate three identical plungers 109, 11d, and 111 provided with racks 112 on one end adapted to engage a gear 113 disposed on platen 72, opposite gear 68 thereon.

The plungers 199, 11a and 111 are supported on the right side wall 114 of pivotal section 100 by a horizontal support 115. Wall lldis on the same side of the machine as bracket member 35 and guide means 16. A notched rod or lever 116 with notches 116a (see FIGS. 19 and 24) is provided for moving each plunger in alignment with gear 113 so that the paper may be single, double or triple spaced as desired. Plunger 119 is twice as long as plunger tea and plunger 111 is three times as long as plunger 19% so that each plunger rack 112 (FIGS. 20, 21 and 25) will engage gear 113 for a longer or shorter time, depending upon the spacing desired, so that it will rotate gear 113 and'platen 72 to pull the paper 14 between platen 72 and roller 73.'

Each plunger 109, 110, and 111 is provided with an enlarged head 118 (see FIGS. 19 and 25) disposed in a sleeve 119 and normally held by a biasing spring 120 in the end of the sleeve adjacent solenoid plunger 107.

Each sleeve is provided with a central opening 121 through which the plunger 11W can slide to overcome the force in spring12'tl holding the plunger head 118 adjacent solenoid plunger 107, to move the plunger rack 112 into engagement with gear 113 to'rotate platens 72 and 73 and pull the paper therebetwee'n.

Whenit is desired touse the electrical spacing means of the present invention, the upper end of lever'1tl2 is rotated in a clockwise'direction as indicated by the arrow inFIG. 23, so that the lower end of lever 1112 disposed in slot 102d in the machine will tilt'sectio n ltltlinto the position shown in FIG. 21, so that the gear I 63 isdisengaged with the mechanical spacing mean 67. At this time the solenoid 1% is "connected to a source of electrical power not shown by plugging a conventional electrical cord into a wall socket. The solenoid has two electrical wiresorconductors: 12 3 and 124 (see FIG. 19) connected to the contact points 44 (see FIG. 6) and the ;-electrical circuit remain broken until'ithe pin 34' connected to bracket member 35 passes through opening 40 and makes contact with the electrical contacts 44to complete the circuit. This energizes the solenoid and causes plunger 1117 to move through opening 121 in the plunger disposed in alignment with gear 113 at this time to move the plunger into engagement with gear 113, and rotate or turn the paper platens so as to space up a new blank line or clean section of paper on the writing surface upon which the writer will then complete a new line of writing.

Gear 113 is disposed to move plate 72 in a counterclockwise direction through pawl 125 (see FIG. 25) fixed to gear 113 and ratchet 126 fixed on platen '72. The pawl and ratchet arrangement provides lost motion or one way clutch means so gear 113 will not back space when the biasing spring 121) returns plunger to its normal position adjacent the solenoid, after the solenoid circuit is tie-energized.

Inasmuch as various changes may be made in the form, location and relative arrangement of the several parts without departing from the essential characteristics of the invention, it will be understood that'the invention is not to be limited except by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An autographic machine having a surface on which writing paper is supported, comprising guide means projecting upwardly from and adjacent to opposite sides of said surface for limiting lateral movement of the arm of a person writing thereon, and means operatively connected to said guide means to present a clean section of paper in progressive sequence to said surface at predetermined intervals.

2. An autographic machine having a surface on which sides of said surface to guide the writing arm and hand of a person writing, and means operatively connected with one of said guide means to present a clean section of paper to said surface in progressive sequence.

3. An autographic machine having a surface on which writing paper is supported, guide means disposed adjacent to one side of said surface and projecting upwardly therefrom for limiting lateral movement of the arm of a person writing thereon, means for supplying a new section of paper to said surface at predetermined intervals, said guide means being operatively connected to said means to actuate said means upon the completion of a line of writing on said paper whereby the arm of the person writing on said surface contacts said guide means and causes said means to move said paper in a direction parallelto said'one side.

4. An autographic machine having a surface on which writing paper is supported, spaced guide means connected to said surface and disposed adjacent to opposite sides of said paper to guide the arm of a person writing on said paper, means for sequentially spacing said paper in one direction along said surface in predeterminedlengths, and one of said guide meansbeing operatively connected to said means to actuate it upon completion of a lineof writing on said paper, said guide means having opposing surfaces adjacent to opposite'sides of said surface adapted to be contacted by said arm; and limit lateral movement thereof. l

5. The machine of claim 4 wherein said means comprises mechanical means. Y

6. The machine of claim 4, wherein said means comprises electrical means;

7. An autographic machine comprising a receptacle havinga surface for-'supportingw'riting paper thereon,

a new section of paper to said surface from said supply means as said moving means moves a section of paper therefrom, said stop means being connected to said paper moving means to actuate it upon completion of a line of writing on said paper when the operators arm contacts the stop means.

8. An autographic machine comprising a receptacle having a surface with spaced transverse slots therein, a supply paper roll disposed adjacent one slot, paper removal rolls disposed adjacent another slot, a continuous sheet of paper on said supply roll and extending through said one slot over said surface and through said another slot and between said removed rolls, spaced stop means extending above said surface for stopping the hand of a person Writing on said paper, and means for rotating said rolls to progressively space a new section of paper on said surface at predetermined intervals, one of said stop means being operatively connected to said rotating means to actuate said rotating means upon completion of a line of writing on said paper.

9. The machine of claim 8 wherein said stop means comprises a spacer shaft connected to said one guide means, a rack shaft connected to said spacer shaft, and a platen drive shaft connected between said rack shaft and said rolls for rotating them.

10. The machine of claim 9 wherein predetermined space setting means are operatively connected to said means for rotating said rolls to vary the length of said predetermined intervals.

11. An autographic machine comprising a receptacle 'having a surface with spaced transverse slots therein, a source of paper supply disposed adjacent one slot for feeding'a continuous length of paper therethrough to said surface, paper removal rolls disposed adjacent another slot for pulling said length of paper therethrough from said surface, spaced stop means projecting upwardly from said surface for stopping the arm of a person writing on said paper, and means for actuating said rolls to progressively feed a new section of paper to said surface at predetermined intervals, one of said stop means being operatively connected to said means to actuate it upon completion of a line of writing on said paper.

12. The machine of claim 11 wherein said means comprises a spacer shaft connected to said one guide means, a rack shaft connected to said spacer shaft and a platen drive shaft connected between said rack shaft and said rolls for rotating them.

13. The machine of claim 12 wherein predetermined space setting means are operatively connected to said means for rotating said rolls to vary the length of said predetermined intervals. 1 v 14. An autographic machine comprising a receptacle 'having a surface with spaced transverse slots therein, a source of paper supply disposed adjacent one slot for feeding a continuous length of paper therethrough .to said surface, paper removal rolls disposed adjacent another slot for pulling said length of paper therethrough from said surface, spaced guide means on opposite sides of said surface for guiding the arm of a person writing on said paper, and means for actuating said rolls to progressively feed a new section of paper to said surface at predetermined intervals, one of said guide means being operatively connected to said means to actuate it upon completion of a line of writing on said paper, said 'means comprising solenoid means operatively connected to said one guide means and to said rolls for rotating them.

15. The machine of claim 14 wherein predetermined space setting means "are operatively connected to said solenoid means to vary the length of said predetermined 7 intervals.

16. An autograph machine having a surface on which surface for guiding the writing arm of a person writing thereon, mechanical means for feeding a new section .of

. writing paper'is supported, guide means disposed on said paper to said surface at predetermined intervals, electrical means for feeding a new section of paper to said surface at predetermined intervals, one of said guide means being operatively connected to said mechanical and electrical means to actuate said means upon the completion of a line of writing on said paper, and selective means for connecting said guide means to said mechanical means at one time, and to said electrical means at another time.

17. An autograph machine having a surface on which writing paper is supported, guide means disposed on said surface for guiding the writing arm of a person writing thereon, mechanical means for feeding a new section of paper to said surface at predetermined intervals, electrical means for feeding a new section of paper to said surface at predetermined intervals, one of said guide means being operatively connected to said mechanical and electrical means to actuate said means upon the completion of a line of writing on said paper, and selective means for connecting said guide means to said mechanical means at one time while disconnecting said electrical means, and for connecting said guide means to said electrical means while disconnecting said mechanical means.

18. The machine of claim 17 wherein said selective means comprises lever means operatively connected to said machine for pivoting a portion of said machine.

19. The machine of claim 17 wherein marking means are provided for marking said paper with longitudinal lines.

20. The machine of claim 17 wherein a plurality of keys are provided operatively connected to a plurality of pen means for marking longitudinal lines of said paper.

21. The machine of claim 20 wherein means are provided for selectively depressing said keys and holding them in depressed position, and release means are provided for returning said keys to their non-depressed position.

22. An autographic machine comprising a receptacle having a writing surface with spaced transverse slots thereon, a source of stacked paper with transverse creases therein at predetermined intervals extending through one slot and onto said surface, friction means disposed adjacent another slot for pulling said paper therethrough from said surface, spaced longitudinally extending guide means on opposite sides of said surface for guiding the hand of a person writing on said paper and means for actuating said friction means to progressively move said paper between and parallel to said guide means so as to space a new section of paper on said surface at predetermined intervals, one of said guide means being operatively connected to said friction means to actuate it upon completion of a line of writing.

23. The machine of claim 22 wherein said means comprises a solenoid adapted to engage a gear on said friction means.

24. The machine of claim 22 wherein said means comprises a solenoid adapted to engage a gear on said friction means, and selective spacing means associated with said solenoid to rotate said gear at different intervals to provide variable predetermined spacing of said section of paper. I

25. The machine of claim 22 wherein said actuating means comprise mechanical and electrical means, and a selective control means are provided for detaching said mechanical means and engaging saidelectrical means with said friction means, and for engaging said mechanical means and disengaging said electrical means.

26. An automatic machine as defined in claim 3, wherein said guide means includes an elongated member pivoted at one end to said one side of said surface, resilient means urging the other end of said elongated member toward the center of said surface.

27. An automatic machine as defined in claim 26 wherein said elongated member-is connected to said means by one way clutch means whereby said means is operated only by said resilient means when the arm of the person writing is moved away from said elongated member.

28. An autograph machine as defined in claim 3 including elbow guide means connected to said machine and projecting upwardly above said surface, said elbow guide means extending transversely of said first mentioned guide means and adapted to contact the elbow of the persons arm writing on said surface whereby said arm is properly located between said first mentioned guide means.

29. An automatic machine having a surface on which writing paper is adapted to be supported comprising, automatic means for moving said paper in increments and in one direction along said surface, said surface having a side area extending parallel to said one direction and spaced laterally from said writing area of said paper, control means on said side area operatively connected to said automatic means whereby the writing arm or hand of the person writing on the paper supported on said surface will contact said control means after writing a line on the paper so that the control means will cause said automatic means to move said paper in said one direction a predetermined distance, said control means operating said automatic means only after said writing arm or hand has been moved away from said control means thereby ensuring that the writing paper will be advanced only after said line has been completed and whereby the operator may delay the movement of said paper for a predetermined time.

30. An automatic machine as defined in claim 29, wherein said automatic means includes electric motor means, said control means includes a switch operatively connected to said electric motor means and an operating member for said switch movably mounted on said surface adjacent said writing paper and adapted to be contacted by said writing arm or hand, said operating member closing said switch to energize said electric motor means for moving said paper only after said arm or 14 hand is moved away from said operating member a certain distance.

31. An automatic machine as defined in claim 26, ,including control means operatively connected between the supplying means and said guide means, said control means being operated by said elongated member to cause operation of the supplying means only after said elongated member has been moved away from'the center of said writing paper a first predetermined distance by said person and moved toward the center of said writing paper a second predetermined distance by said resilient means whereby said person may determine the time when said paper is moved.

32. An automatic machine as. defined in claim 30 wherein said operating member is movable within first and second spaced guide passages, said guide passages being joined at their adjacent ends, a first one way gate movably mounted at the adjacent ends of said passages that are nearest the center of said paper, a second one way gate movably mounted at the adjacent ends of said passages that are the farthest from the center of said paper, said operating member operating said switch only when it moves toward the center of said paper within said second passage, means urging said first one way gate to normally close said second passage and open said one passage, means urging said second one way gate to normally close said one passage and to open said second passage.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,154,568 Harris Apr. 18, 1939 2,166,131 Duncan July 18, 1939 2,633,638 Metzner Apr. 7, 1953 2,819,071 DietZ et a1 Jan. 7, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 343,198 Germany Apr. 27, 192.?- 

1. AN AUTOGRAPHIC MACHINE HAVING A SURFACE ON WHICH WRITING PAPER IS SUPPORTED, COMPRISING GUIDE MEANS PROJECTING UPWARDLY FROM AND ADJACENT TO OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID SURFACE FOR LIMITING LATERAL MOVEMENT OF THE ARM OF A PERSON WRITING THEREON, AND MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID GUIDE MEANS TO PRESENT A CLEAN SECTION OF PAPER IN PROGRESSIVE SEQUENCE TO SAID SURFACE AT PREDETERMINED INTERVALS. 